Militarizing Santa Claus

A couple years ago, I wrote a story about efforts by citizens in the town of Keane, New Hampshire, to block their city council from purchasing a DHS-funded BearCat armored personnel carrier from the Lenco company. One of the residents I interviewed was Dorrie O'Meara, who owns a laundromat, an apartment complex, and a Mexican restaurant in the town. O'Meara's reason for opposing the acquisition was simple, striking, and I thought pretty profound: "It's just not who we are."

Symbolism and imagery are important. It isn't just that the militarization of America's police forces often leads to the unnecessary use of force, such as violent no-knock raids, or aggressive crackdowns on protest. It's also a reflection of what type of society we are, and the type of society in which we want to live.

When Santa Claus rides through Silver Spring on Wednesday, Dec. 18, he'll be on a BearCat.

The BearCat—an acronym for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck—is an armored police tactical vehicle. It's not commonly driven around Montgomery County, so when Santa rides the BearCat from Germantown to Bethesda, he'll be sure to be spotted.

Santa will be escorted on Wednesday by county police officers, according to a police department news release, and Santa and the officers will transport gift bags and donations raised by the police department to a party for children whose families are residents of The Children's Inn at NIH, according to the news release.

I doubt this was a conscious attempt to get kids accustomed to the sight of tanks and APVs rolling through the streets of Silver Spring. But that's certainly its effect. (For a less jolly image of the BearCat, watch this video, which Lenco has used to market it to police departments.)

It's also telling that no one in Montgomery County -- a wealthy suburb of Washington, D.C. -- thought there might be some image problems, here. (Or at least no one with the power to stop it.)

Smiling Walmart employees waited as law enforcement officers from all over Weber County pulled into the store parking lot with sirens blaring and lights flashing, accompanied by children the officers have dealt with through their line of work.

These kids wouldn't be getting a Christmas otherwise.

"It's fun to watch the kids," said Walmart training manager Kristen Love. She is always amazed by the generosity of the kids, who usually end up buying more gifts for their families than for themselves.

As the children piled out of the cars, Santa came rolling up in a Bearcat armored police vehicle with "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" ringing from the loud speaker.

These sorts of charity drives more commonly feature Santa pulling up in a fire truck -- a rescue vehicle. At least in Riverdale and Montgomery County, it's now done with a truck that's marketed with videos of the war machine crushing doors, injecting tear gas into buildings, and unloading teams of camouflage-clad SWAT cops toting and pointing guns more suited for use on a battlefield.

US President Barack Obama sings with Santa during the finale fo the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree December 1, 2011 at The Ellipse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama, right, and daughter Malia Obama, sing as Santa Claus arrives during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In this Dec. 12, 2011, file photo, Santa Claus gestures toward first lady Michelle Obama, at Children's National Medical Center in Washington. Why do kids believe a chubby guy in a flying sleigh can deliver joy across America? Because their parents do. A whopping 84 percent of grown-ups were once children who trusted in Santas magic, and lots cling to it still. Things are changing fast these days, with toddlers wishing for iPads, grade schoolers emailing their Christmas lists and moms wrestling over bargain toys at midnight sales. Despite all the pressures on the rituals of the season, an AP-GfK poll confirms that families are sticking by old St. Nick. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

President Barack Obama greets Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, played by Brad and Victoria Oscar, as they participate in the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President George W. Bush and Santa Claus (Willard Scott) at the annual Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse on December 2, 2004 in Washington, DC. The tree lighting opens the 2004 Christmas Pageant of Peace. (Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)

With Santa Claus looking on, First lady Laura Bush, center, flanked by Dania Jecty, 11, left, and Elmer Reyes, 13, reads a holiday story book to patients and parents at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Both are patients at the hospital. (AP Photo/Staff)

President Bush greets Santa Claus, played by Willard Scott, with children Clara Pitts, second left, and Nicole Mastracchio at the conclusion of the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in The Ellipse in front of the White House in Washington Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

President Bill Clinton speaks with Santa Claus, played by TV personality Willard Scott, after lighting the 1996 national Christmas tree in Washington. Clinton took part in a celebration for the first night of Hanukkah at the White House. (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)

President Clinton, joined by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Santa Claus, gestures while reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to Washington area children, Friday Dec. 22, 1995 at the White House. The president and first lady hosted the children with the reading and the singing of Christmas carols.(AP Photos/J Scott Applewhite)

President-elect George H. W. Bush, right, and Mrs. Barbara Bush, kissing Santa, hold sweaters that were given to them at his inaugural headquarters, Monday, Dec. 20, 1988, Washington, D.C. They visited the headquarters to wish all workers happy holidays, and the sweaters were gifts from the staff. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

U.S. President George H. Bush shakes hand with Santa Claus, being portrayed by television personality Williard Scott, while lighting the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 14, 1989. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

First Lady Barbara Bush, right, at a Toys for Tots Christmas party at the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Club, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1992, Washington, D.C. Later she read a story to the Benning Elementary school kids. The rest of the group is unidentified. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

First lady Nancy Reagan with the help of comedian Rich Little, dressed as Santa Clause, takes part in the press preview of the White House Christmas decorations on Monday, Dec. 12, 1988 in Washington. This will be the last Christmas of the Reagan era. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

First Lady Nancy Reagan, left, and Santa, Dom DeLuise, throw some artificial snow in the air during a press preview of White House decorations, Monday, Dec. 14, 1987, Washington, D.C. The White House has been decorated according to the theme of A Musical Christmas. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

President Jimmy Carter calls for other performers to join himself, Santa Claus and ice skating star Peggy Fleming for pictures at a White House reception for Secret Service agents and military aides in Washington on Dec. 22, 1980. Ms. Fleming and other skaters provided the entertainment. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

First lady Betty Ford walks with Santa Claus and some of the children of diplomats at the White House on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1975 prior to start of a party she hosted for the youngsters. In addition to Saint Nicholas the children were treated to clowns and puppet show. (AP Photo/PHX)

Merlin Olsen, dressed as Santa Claus, arrives on stage to participate in the Pageant of Peace on the Ellipse near the White House, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Washington. President Bush and his wife, Laura, participated in the event by making a few remarks and lighting the National Christmas Tree.(AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)